Starting a new job can be scary and overwhelming.

9 Comments

1. Sophie JoernMarch 22,2022 at 6:38PM UTC

   Onboarding buddies are fantastic! Having a designated and motivated point of contact can be a game changer for integrating a new employee into the organization.

2. SamanthaMarch 22,2022 at 6:54PM UTC

   Are you speaking about onboarding new employees and tips and tricks to making that more seamless? or being a new employee coming in?

   Onboarding new employees I would make sure they have everything set up for them, logins that they need created and have a list of things they might need to do on the first day. I would also suggest assigning them a mentor, a senior employee that can assign them work and train them in. This person can also be their designated goto for questions. Taking the new employee to lunch is also great and get to know them as a person, and not just an employee - be a little vulnerable and show that you're a person as well.

3. Annette ReimerMarch 22,2022 at 7:47PM UTC

   Speaking as one who just started a position less than 2 months ago, I found the following actions made by my company as a positive experience:

   1 - they had all my equipment sent to me ( I work remotely) ahead of time so the first day had no computer issues.

   2- they had a training schedule set up for the first two weeks, so it was easy to know where I was supposed to be and who I was to contact

   3 - HR checked in with me to see how my week was going, as well as the CEO.

   4 - my boss checked in with me every morning for the first week to ensure my training was going well and to see what holes there were that needed to be fixed.

   Tips for those just starting a new position would be to: ask questions - a lot of them!

   You will never learn everything you need to know by assuming someone will tell you. Being proactive is a good way to excel in your position early. I am also very open to approaching people and getting to know them and start early to forge good relationships. The first couple of weeks are not the time to be shy ( and I am normally a shy person)

4. Meloney StoweMarch 22,2022 at 8:18PM UTC

   ask your department for tricks they've learned. they will appreciate you asking for their input,

5. Arika LawrenceMarch 22,2022 at 9:28PM UTC
   1. Ask for a current org chart to get familiar with who you'd be working with/ their role.
   2. Ask your department for cheat sheet, if they have one. If not, use your onboarding experience as an example and capture all the things you'd want / wish someone had shared with you on your first day.
   3. Save IT help /support numbers lol
   4. Connect with your ERGs, if they have any.
   5. Start making connections beyond your dept. & network with other colleagues. It's a great way to learn the org quickly and learn who the power players are.
6. Crystal RhinebergerMarch 22,2022 at 11:16PM UTC

   Definitely a step backa nd say I got this

7. Vesela KrastevaMarch 23,2022 at 11:46AM UTC

   I have always used the book "The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels" by Michael Watkins as a guide every time I started a new job or I was promoted and it did miracles for me.

   In general - making the mental break up with your old role and a new one is critical to your success, including letting go of some responsibilities and activities that you loved doing, despite that you loved doing them if they are not part of your current role anymore. Then spending time to understand not only the technical details but also the culture and politics. Some organizations have a very strong culture of behind-the-curtains politics and if you fail to recognize that you can't be successful. After all, you are the one that needs to adapt to the organization, not the organization to you. Then tailor your strategy to the situation in the company and secure early wins. To ensure the early wins you also need to negotiate your development plan with your manager and align it with the company strategy, then communicate often your progress. Build your relationships and make sure you project yourself as someone who is easy to work with and willing to help others.

8. DarcieMarch 23,2022 at 12:28PM UTC

   I haven’t read this book. Do you think it’s helpful for someone who is an individual contributor starting a new role, or is it primarily geared toward managers?

9. Vesela KrastevaMarch 24,2022 at 6:50AM UTC

   It is helpful for both individual contributors and managers.